J. A. Panton was Melbourne’s Police Magistrate and Commissioner from 1862–1907 and is described as one of Melbourne’s most ‘illustrious, pioneer’ magistrates.
As goldfields commissioner, he investigated the resentment towards Chinese diggers and his recommendation for a Chinese protectorate was adopted in 1855.
He had a keen interest in art and studied in Paris. In 1888, the Victorian Academy of Arts and the Australian Artists Association amalgamated to become the Victorian Artists Society (VAS). J. A. Panton was elected as its first president, and exhibited with the VAS until 1892, the year he resigned from the role.
In 1895, Panton declined the honour of knighthood but was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG).
According to art critic William Moore, Josephine wanted to paint Panton ‘attired in his everyday clothes as he appeared on the bench, but Mr Panton preferred to be depicted in evening dress, seated in a graceful attitude, smoking a cigarette.’1
Image courtesy of the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
